Georgia High School Football Team Bus Overturns in Terrifying Highway Crash, Sending 12 People to Hospitals

A school bus carrying members of a Georgia high school football team overturned late Friday night, October 23, 2026, triggering a major emergency response and leaving multiple students and staff members injured.

The bus belonged to Salem High School in Conyers, Georgia, and was returning from an away football game when the crash occurred near Old Salem Road and Highway 138 in Rockdale County, close to Interstate 20.

According to local reports, at least 12 people were injured. One athletic trainer was airlifted to a medical facility, while other students and staff members were transported to nearby hospitals by ambulance. Authorities had not yet released a complete breakdown of the injuries.

Bus Flips Onto Its Side Near Interstate 20

The crash happened at approximately 11 p.m., after several high school football games had ended.

The Rockdale County School District confirmed that 27 people were aboard the bus: 17 football players, seven trainers, two coaches and one driver.

Images from the scene showed the bus lying on its side, with extensive damage to the front of the vehicle, shattered windows and part of the roof collapsed. Emergency crews from multiple agencies rushed to the area to assist those trapped or injured.

A witness told Atlanta television station WSB-TV that she heard a loud boom while at a nearby gas station. When she turned around, she saw the school bus overturned.

First responders worked to secure the scene and help those involved in the crash.

Hospitals Prepare for a Possible Mass-Casualty Emergency

The severity of the incident prompted Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Arthur M. Blank Hospital to prepare for the possibility of a mass-casualty event.

Medical helicopters were requested during the emergency response, and ambulances transported injured passengers to multiple hospitals.

Salem High School head coach Fredrick Green survived the crash and was reported to be doing okay. He was also working to determine where team members had been taken for medical treatment.

Officials established a nearby gathering area where students could reunite with their families and arrange transportation home.

What Caused the Crash?

As of the initial reports on October 24, authorities had not confirmed what caused the bus to overturn. Investigators had not announced whether another vehicle was involved or whether mechanical problems or other factors contributed to the collision.

Georgia State Patrol was working with Conyers police and the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office to investigate.

The school district acknowledged the incident and said several students and staff members had been taken to hospitals. Further details about their conditions were expected as officials gathered more information.

A Community Waits for Answers

The crash left families, teammates and members of the Salem High School community anxiously awaiting information about those involved.

The incident also disrupted traffic along Highway 138 near Interstate 20, as emergency crews worked at the scene and authorities managed the road closure.

While the investigation continues, the immediate focus remains on the injured students and staff members and on determining how the bus ended up overturned on the highway.

Sources: dailymail